Russell Beck will be presenting at Practising Law Institute’s program titled “Mediating Restrictive Covenant Disputes Program,” on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, starting at 3:00 p.m. ET.

This is a virtual event and will be available online. More information and registration is available here.

Russell has extensive experience with restrictive covenant law, including noncompete and nonsolicit agreements. He has experience mediating these cases both as an advocate on behalf of his clients and through his experience serving as a mediator assisting other parties to resolve their disputes.

In addition to Russell, the panel includes noted ADR professionals:

During this presentation, attendees will:

    • Hear from the panel on the legal framework for restrictive covenants at state and federal level
    • Discuss challenges of restrictive covenant litigation (costs, proof issues, risks of litigation)
    • Discuss the mediation process – when and why to mediate, preparing clients and managing expectations, and structuring the mediation (timing, confidentiality, and neutral selection)
    • Explore ethical concerns unique to restrictive covenant mediation
    • Discuss strategies for success (balancing leverage, reputational risk, and business interests)
    • Explore creative resolutions: reformation, restructuring of roles, buyouts, release terms

The presentation is for “employment lawyers, mediators, ADR professionals, in-house counsel, HR professionals, and business litigators working on restrictive covenant and trade secret cases.”

For up-to-the-minute analysis of legal issues concerning noncompete agreements in Massachusetts and across the United States, read Russell Beck’s blog, Fair Competition Law.

eck Reed Riden LLP is among the leading authorities in trade secret, noncompete, and unfair competition law, and our experience handling these matters is backed by our extensive employment law and business litigation experience. Our hand-picked team combines attorneys with complementary expertise and practical experience.

The Wall Street Journal featured Beck Reed Riden LLP’s noncompete agreement experience. In 2016, the White House issued a report entitled, “Non-Compete Agreements: Analysis of the Usage, Potential Issues, and State Responses,” relying in part on Beck Reed Riden LLP’s research and analysis, including its 50 State Noncompete Survey.

Russell Beck’s work in this area is well recognized, and includes:

  • Over thirty years of experience working on trade secret, noncompete, and unfair competition matters
  • Assisting the Obama White House as part of a small working group to develop President Obama’s Noncompete Call to Action
  • Authoring the book Negotiating, Drafting, and Enforcing Noncompetition Agreements and Related Restrictive Covenants (6th ed., MCLE, Inc. 2021), used by other lawyers to help them with their noncompete matters
  • Authoring the book Trade Secrets Law for the Massachusetts Practitioner (1st ed. MCLE 2019), covering trade secrets nationally, with a focus on Massachusetts law
  • Drafting and advising on legislation for the Massachusetts Legislature to define, codify, and improve noncompetition law
  • Teaching Trade Secrets and Restrictive Covenants at Boston University School of Law
  • Founding and administering the award-winning blog, Fair Competition Law
  • Establishing and administering the Noncompete Lawyers and Trade Secret Protection groups on LinkedIn, with over 1,660 and 870 members, respectively, around the world
  • Founded and chaired the Trade Secret / Noncompete Practice for an AmLaw 100 firm

In addition, Russell was honored for his work in this area of law in the 2024 Chambers USA Guide, which stated that Russell Beck is “noted for his skillful reputation of business clients in a variety of disputes. He is particularly noted for his trade secrets work.” A respondent to Chambers’ survey said that “Russell is just tremendous. He’s one of the most well-respected noncompete lawyers.”

Beck Reed Riden LLP is Boston’s innovative litigation boutique. Our lawyers have years of experience working with clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to start-ups and individuals. We focus on business litigation and employment.

We are experienced litigators and counselors, helping our clients as business partners to resolve issues and develop strategies that best meet our clients’ legal and business needs – before, during, and after litigation. We’re ready to roll up our sleeves and help you. Read more about us, the types of matters we handle, and what we can do for you here.